Prompt demonstration of commitment to quality general practice
GPs nationwide will be pleased at the Government’s prompt demonstration of commitment to quality general practice and
primary health care.
“They are moving much more quickly to achieve national equity,” said Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
president Dr Jim Vause. “We are pleased to see it will effect all of New Zealand.”
It was only in July that Health Minister Annette King told GPs at the College conference in Dunedin that she had heard
the College warning on how vulnerable the sector was, and was prepared to take a case to cabinet.
“This extra and accelerated funding shows she is listening to the sector,” Dr Vause said. “It will be an important step
in stabilising all these changes.”
Bringing forward the funding for all over-65s, and reducing the prescription fees from July next year, will ease the
healthcare burden for our over 65s.
Dr Vause said the College had international research that clearly showed the benefits of GP-focused primary care. “Mrs
King’s recognition of the improvements possible with this continuity of care is very important.”
The College looked forward now to the Ministry of Health setting up the recently announced implementation taskforce to
address the problem areas of Information technology and infrastructure.